Dawn on the Hortobágy

Late April in central Hungary. Dawn on the Hortobágy starts early and I was in the hide by 5am. It was still dark but I could make out the mist swirling over the lagoon in front of me. Slowly light crept in to the sky and with it a pink glow. Ghostly figures flying in on silent wings. For the next hour I sat spellbound as the scene in front of me turned in to a stunning sunrise.

I worked quietly and without any of the freneticism that action photography can bring. Pausing to soak up the atmosphere and then bending back to the viewfinder as a new opportunity arose.

As the sun gained height and grew in strength the light became harsh and by 7am it was all over. The magic was gone but not the memories - or the images.